Daniel Akpeyi of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Baroka FC on the 28 September 2019 at FNB Stadium Chiefs face Pirates in the TKO this Saturday Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs aim to overcome mental block in title hunt
The hunt for what’s been an elusive trophy resumes for Kaizer Chiefs as soon as they emerge from the international break.
Daniel Akpeyi of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Baroka FC on the 28 September 2019 at FNB Stadium Chiefs face Pirates in the TKO this Saturday Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
It cannot be denied that Kaizer Chiefs are looking the part in their bid to end a long cup drought, following what’s been a barren period for the club.
The country’s most decorated outfit found itself in contention for only three out of a possible trophies at the start of the season, owing to a poor league run last time out, where they failed to qualify for continental competition, as well as the MTN8.
The closest they have come to bagging silverware in the past year was when they made it all the way to the Nedbank Cup final in May, only to suffer an embarrassing defeat to first-division outfit TS Galaxy.
Kaizer Chiefs target at least one trophy
This followed two consecutive semifinal exits – in the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout (TKO) respectively – but goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi is confident they can go all the way in at least one of these competitions this time around.
“We are a professional side and I’m sure we are one of the biggest professional sides in Africa and known in the world, so we should be prepared for all the cups coming up,” he said.
“The Telkom, Nedbank and League, we are prepared for all of these and we just hope that we stay solid for us to at least come out with something in the end of the season.”
Daniel Akpeyi
Overcoming the mental block
Kaizer Chiefs’ most immediate task is overcoming Cape Town City away from home in the last 16 round of the TKO.
During Amakhosi’s four-year barren spell, the Citizens – one of the local league’s youngest clubs – have proven to know their way to cup glory, bagging two trophies in the period.
Akpeyi – who has been with Chiefs since January – has experienced cup heartbreak at the club, and believes there is somewhat of a mental block that has prevented all involved from bringing out the goods when it matters the most.
“We always feel that [block], and I think in disguise that is what we‘ve actually been pushing towards [overcoming] – to make sure that we actually do well this season and that we come out with at least a trophy or two, or three – if we can win all of them, why not?”
Daniel Akpeyi
Chiefs play Mamelodi Sundowns in a friendly match on Saturday, before travelling to Cape Town for their TKO Round of 16 clash against the Citizens seven days later.
Both matches kick off at 15:00.
